Epidemiology of Human Papilloma Virus Genotypes (HPV) in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Positive Women from Selected Hospitals in Ondo State, Nigeria

The aim of this study is to investigate the epidemiology of Human Papillomavirus genotypes in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive women attending selected Government Hospitals in Ondo state, Nigeria. Questionnaires containing information about age, sex, parity, occupation, socio-demographic characteristics of the women, and exposure to factors which may influence sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were administered. Information on other signs and symptoms of STD was also obtained. This study was conducted among women ≥20 years attending the HIV or medical outpatient Clinic from selected Hospitals in Ondo State. A total of 185 cervical swab samples collected were transferred in a phosphate buffer transport medium, kept in ice pack and then transferred to the laboratory for analysis. The following analyses were carried out on the samples: DNA extraction, genotyping using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and agarose gel electrophoresis, using GP5+/GP6+ primers. Of the 185 cervical swabs samples collected from HIV positive women, 128 (69.2%) had their Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) status as positive, while 57 (30.8%) had their HPV status as negative. The higher prevalence of HPV IgG recorded in this work might be related to varying sexual behaviors, social vices and cultural practice in Ondo State. Prevalence of HPV IgG antibody in HIV women in relation to age of the showed that, age group 31-40 had the highest prevalence of HPV IgG antibody 75 (58.6%). The prevalence might be due to early indulgence in sexual activities and early marriage. The prevalence of HPV antibody in relation to education of the women showed that subjects with no formal education had the highest prevalence of HPV IgG antibody 62 (48.4%). Other parameters like past history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), use of oral contraceptives, and age at first sexual experience, occupation, level of education, and marital status also contributed to the high prevalence of HPV. The HR-HPV genotypes detected include: 16, 18, 35, 45, 30, 70, 69, 52, 31, 58, 39, 33, 61, 66 and 74 This study has shown a clear indication of the presence of HPV in HIV positive women, and equally the epidemiological classification of HPV in HIV positive women, and therefore recommends that, there is the need to educate people on the importance of routine HPV screening in order to prevent infection with the disease and development of cervical cancer. Public enlightenment programmes should be organized to educate people on the risk factors associated with HPV, which would also assist women in making responsible choices as regards sexual and other social practices.